Cheaper than Sanya, wilder than Haikou, this hidden gem is perfect for family trips

5-day 4-night relaxed Wanning, Hainan itinerary guide with balanced pacing (≤1 hour daily drive) and transparent budget control👇:

🌴 1. Itinerary: Family-friendly + summer retreat priority
Day 1: Arrival in Wanning · First glimpse of Shimei Bay
Morning: Arrive at Sanya/Haikou airport, rent a car to Wanning (~1.5h drive), check in at Shimei Bay or Shenzhou Peninsula hotels.
Afternoon:
Shimei Bay Beach (free): Build sandcastles and wade in waves. 10m+ water visibility, snorkel to see coral (gear rental ¥50/set).
Phoenix Jiuli Bookstore: Read picture books at this seaside café with Xinglong coffee (¥15), await sunset over "tangerine sea".
Evening: Corona Sunset Bar (Shenzhou Peninsula), enjoy buy-one-get-one drinks and photograph the iconic bottle wall from movies.

Day 2: Surfing at Riyue Bay + Qiaoxiang culture
Morning:
Riyue Bay surfing (¥298/2h): 1-on-2 coaching at Shaka Club (ages 4+ with kids' gear).
Coconut Grove Road cycling: Rent Snoopy e-bike (¥50/h) for half-ocean half-palm photos.
Afternoon:
Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden (1 adult + 1 child free): Discover "rain tree drips", DIY chocolate (¥50/person).
Bali Village (¥45/adult): Dress in Nyonya costumes (¥30/h) for photos, watch Indonesian dance shows.
Dinner: Nanyang Flavors Restaurant (¥50/person for curry fish balls + kueh lapis).

Day 3: Island hopping + ranch fun
Morning: Jiajing Island day trip (¥300/person):
Catamaran snorkeling + fishing (coral reefs viewing), includes fruits/drinks + instructors (1.2m+ height requirement).
Afternoon: Luwan Ranch combo ticket (¥38/person):
Feed alpacas/ponies (feed ¥10/bag), ride aquatic bumper boats (as seen on variety shows).
Evening: Qiaohai Ranch (free) – feed geese, watch cattle return, photograph "Hainan's mini-Xinjiang" scenery.

Day 4: Hidden gems + coffee workshop
Dawn: Shanqin Bay Swallow Cave (free):
Explore volcanic caves at low tide (check tide tables, best 8-10AM), collect shells on black reef beach (wear water shoes).
Morning: M1 Coffee Wonderland (¥79/child):
Kids' zone with coffee bean slides + coffee-ground sand art, DIY scented sachets (¥30/piece).
Afternoon: Shenzhou Peninsula Lighthouse (free) – chase sunset by e-bike, beach sketching.

Day 5: Free time + departure
Morning: Hotel pool or revisit favorite spots.
Noon: Wuchang Fishing Port seafood market – pick live crabs for steaming (¥15/jin processing), ~¥50/person.

🏨 2. Accommodation (4 nights high-value)
Comfort: Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula (¥900-1200) – private beach + kids' club + sunset drinks
Luxury: Shimei Bay Le Méridien (¥1500+) – filming site of "If You Are the One 2", 180° ocean views
💡 Tip: 2+ nights at Sheraton gets free Corona drinks; choose sea-view B&Bs in Shimei Bay (¥400+/night).

🍜 3. Must-try foods
Breakfast: Hou'an noodles (Lao Zhaixiang, ¥12 with bone broth + soft-boiled egg)
Meals:
Nanyang Flavors (kueh lapis + curry fish balls, ¥50/person)
Wuchang seafood (¥15/jin processing, don't miss Hele crab)
Snacks: Xinglong charcoal coffee + fried dough (¥15), qingbuliang dessert (¥12/bowl)

💰 4. Cost breakdown (2 adults + 1 child, 5D4N)
Accommodation: ¥4000 (¥1000/night)
Dining: ¥1100 (¥80/meal×10 + snacks ¥300)
Tickets: ¥1614 (Jiajing Island ¥900 + surfing ¥600 + ranch ¥114)
Transport: ¥950 (car rental ¥800 + e-bike ¥150)
Extras: ¥300 (souvenirs + snorkel gear)
Total: ¥7964

✨ Savings tips:
Free tickets: Xinglong Garden (1 adult+1 child free), M1 kids' discounts
Bring gear: Snorkel set (save ¥100), sand toys
Off-peak dining: Half-price fruits after 6:30PM, seafood market mornings cheaper.

⚠️ 5. Family travel guide
1. Transport: Fly to Sanya → rent EV (¥120/day) for flexibility.
2. Summer prep:
Kids' sunscreen sticks (for surfing), neck fans, quick-dry swimwear
Avoid midday heat: Schedule indoor activities (M1/Garden greenhouse).
3. Safety:
Jiajing Island: Life jackets mandatory
Shanqin Bay: Watch kids near sharp reefs.

🌟 Unique experiences:
Night garden tours (July-Aug): Firefly watching (book ahead)
Shenzhou Peninsula jet skiing: National training base (1.2m+, ¥200/15min).

💎 Highlights
Top 5 must-dos: Shimei Bay's glass waters, Riyue Bay surfing, Shanqin Bay caves, Xinglong Garden, Shenzhou Lighthouse – only 1-2 main activities daily.
Budget control: ¥7000 for thrifty families; ¥8000 for comfort (better value than Sanya).

Best timing:
Mornings (7-10AM) for outdoors
Afternoons (12-3PM) for indoor workshops
Evenings (5PM+) for beach relaxation.

Wanning's charm lies in letting kids grow amidst waves, rainforests, and Nanyang culture. Book surfing/island trips 3 days ahead, avoid weekends! 🌊